The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction assists in the recovery of protected marine species by reducing the risks of entanglement in commercial or recreational fishing gear. Specific projects include: research and development of alternative fishing ropes; research and development of approaches to reduce depredation by cetaceans and other species; applied research on wildlife behavior and sensory systems; and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

A number of bycatch reduction projects were carried out, including: field testing experimental groundlines and buoy lines in Maine (including weak rope and time tension line cutters); conducting controlled experiments running a model right whale flipper into buoy lines, providing some insights into flipper entanglements; conducting trials with spiny dogfish to reduce shark bycatch in longline gear through the use of electropositive rare earth metals as potential deterrents; characterizing the nature and timing of pilot whale associations with the pelagic longline fishery off NC; completing online database of bycatch studies; conducting annual meeting; conducting a literature review to produce a paper assessing endangered species bycatch; and collecting baseline information on common ropes used in fixed gear fisheries in the Northeast.

A number of bycatch reduction projects were carried out, largely focusing on addressing large whale entanglements. Researchers investigated components related to entanglements and determined that lowering the breaking strength of fishing ropes may allow whales to escape easier and reduce entanglement severity. Further tests on the utility of a “taut” vertical line for reducing entanglement risk are needed. The researchers also created a dynamic model to simulate right whale entanglements. After examining right whale color vision, the researchers determined that these animals are color blind but rely on contrast to see in the water. Field tests of whale behavior and various colored ropes suggested that right whales modified their behavior sooner when confronted with red/orange ropes than black and green ropes. A large amount of outreach was conducted with the lobster industry to identify “best fishing practices” that could be employed to reduce entanglement risk. Work on pilot whales showed that tuna is not a primary prey species and pilot whales infrequently depredate from fishing gear. Field studies indicated that weak longline hooks are a promising technology for reducing pilot whale bycatch. Finally, research on the use of electropositive metals for deterring sharks from taking longline bait could not determine an effective metal/species combination; further tests are needed.

New England Aquarium

Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction

10/1/10 through 9/30/14

$1,248,750

The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction assists in the recovery of protected marine species by reducing the risks of entanglement in commercial or recreational fishing gear. Specific projects include: evaluation of Western Australian stiff rope fishing; improving feasibility of sinking groundline; outreach on best lobster fishing practices; evaluating right whale visual bycatch deterrents (phase 2); evaluating rope-less fishing (acoustic release); testing various hook designs and strengths to find potential solutions to cetacean interactions with longline gear; and testing "whale-safe" hooks in Hawaiian longline gear to reduce false killer whale interactions with this fishery.

Not yet available.

Project in progress. Grant expires on 9/30/14. Final report is due on 12/29/14.